Kaufland Bulgaria Invests in Self-Checkout Technology

Kaufland Bulgaria is investing more than BGN 1 million (€511,000) in the installation of new self-checkouts in its stores. The retailer has already introduced six self-service checkouts at its outlet in Pernik – Hristo Smirnenski, with plans to add ten more self-checkout areas and expand five existing ones throughout the year. This expansion will bring the total number of self-service checkouts to over 80, across both new and renovated outlets.

Since 2021, Kaufland Bulgaria has installed 229 self-checkouts in 36 stores nationwide. Customers in Bulgaria are gravitating towards self-checkouts due to the convenience they offer in saving time and providing various payment options such as cash, cards, and electronic food vouchers. Over 30% of Kaufland’s customers already use self-checkouts, with this number steadily increasing each year.

In addition to self-checkouts, Kaufland Bulgaria launched the K-Scan service last year, becoming the first retailer in the country to offer self-scanning. Shoppers can scan their groceries as they shop using a handheld scanner or their phone, and then pay at the self-checkout using a QR code. Customers simply need to register their Kaufland Card at the store entrance to access the K-Scan service, which is currently available as a pilot program in two Kaufland stores in Sofia.

Kaufland Bulgaria is a significant player in the Bulgarian retail market, operating 65 hypermarkets in 35 cities with annual sales exceeding BGN 2 billion (€1 billion). Since its launch in 2006, the retailer has invested BGN 1.6 billion (€818 million) in infrastructure within its Bulgarian store network.